Sword and shield. (Clinton, Miss.) 1885-1888, 1887-01-29
State PENITEN7IARYsa
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Plan for Rest6rInB ComVtets % the
Custody Of the State. q
Objections to the Leasing System--A
State Farm and Factory PrOpO-ua
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In the yearGl8S4, the attention of athd
citizens of this State we're attrautddoby
the report of a special eommitids Ofithe
House Of Representatives to aihlissls7
sippi institution known. as the convict
leasing system. And while a general
nublic Indignation manifested. itself,
nothing practical wassadone by the
Legislature that year to- remedy the
abnses disclosed, nor in thedireetion OF
q radical reform in respect to the sys-
tenn. On the contrary, the system was
continued under a statute, the preamble
to which singularly enough recited'that
the people of the State did not approve
the leasing of convicts.
In 1886 the attention of the Leglsla'
ture was called by Governor Lowry to
the evils Of convict leasing, and this
popular disapproyal, and retormatory
legislation was invited.
The present paper, substantially, was
submitted to many members OF sthe
Legislature of 1886, and the theory OF a
reduction Of the prison population with
model farm connected with manutac-
turing department, was suggested to
several members Of the committee OF
1884.
The Legislature of1884 declared, BY q
preamble. to bill leasing,the conyicts to
railroad company, that the leasing OF
con7icts was not sustained by public
opinion while the committee recon-
mendel that the convicts should be
reclaimed, by the State on the model
Finauy, the Legislature of 1885, Jby, .
eial provision in the act off March
H.tSs, lsssin 'o'S to- the
ces,f q Sllip Isis .mpany
required the FComm1solo.-. co submit
to the next Legislature "a practical
and comprehensive plan by which the
State shall be enabled to exercise direc
and exclusive management of tho Penl-
tentiary and convicts at the earliest date
possible"
Thus, subject in respect to which So
much has been said, and SO little done
has finally assumed practical and sub
stantial shape. Under the provisions
Of this statute, which directs board o
commi ssioners to submit a plan OF re-
formation for legislative action mex
year. the question, whether the leasing
system shall be abolished, has most hap
PLY been changed to the selection of the
most practical method Of efecting th'
reform.
Gov, Gordon is making vigoaous an(
earnest effort to free the State of Geor
ola Of convict leasing. But if Missis
sippi will faithfully and promptly fol
low the logic of the legislative direction
to the Commissioners, to her will be
long the credit Of being the first South
ern State to destroy an institution
that is a reproach to the whole South.
The following is the paper already al
luded to:
APLAN FOR RESTORING THE CONVICT
TO THE CUSTODY OF THE STATE.
The following propositions contal
truths that are self-evident
First-The State is under moral dut
and trust to keep the care, treatmen
and discipline of its convicts in its ow
hands. The fact Of depriving. them Q
their liberty imposes instantly and i'm
peratiyely the duty of direct and ex
elusive government control. And, more
over. this trust can never be sold Q
bartered away without a violation {
duty. 49, r.
Second-The permanent example
the leasing of State conVicts to person
or corporations, for private profit, is
standing illustration Of the cruel errc
that community is to be put to no ex
pense in the execution Of its crimin'
jurisprudence, the repression Of Grim
and the reformation Of criminals.
Every intelligent and kind-hearte
individual, whether scientifically il
formed on the subject ofState prisons
not, out of his sense of justice, mus
preceive the truth Of these proposition
and with the recognition Of thier trut
he must anxiousIy desire a chaDg'
And, manifestly, it would be useless !
argue with mind 50 uninformed i as
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